Dangerous Driving

The issue of dangerous driving has become more prevalent in the last few years, and the consequences for those who engage in such behavior are not letting up any time soon.

The Ontario governmentrecently announced that, starting on September 1, new penalties for dangerous driving and endangering pedestrians kick in. Drivers convicted of careless driving causing bodily harm or death will face:

Fines ranging from $2,000 to $50,000.

Six demerit points.

Your driver’s license suspended for up to five years.

Up to two years in jail.

Penalties will also increase for drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at crossovers, school crossings and crosswalks. The maximum penalty will increase to $1,000 and four demerit points.

Drivers are also remindedthat they must yield the entire roadway at pedestrian crossovers, school crossings, and other locations where there is a crossing guard, and cannot continue driving until pedestrians have finished crossing the road completely.

“Time and time again we’ve seen families devastated because a loved one is hurt or killed by a dangerous driver, and the driver walks away with no more than a slap on the wrist,” said Transportation Minister John Yakabuski.

“This new charge sends a clear message that dangerous driving won’t be tolerated. But although tougher penalties help, we need everyone to step up and do their part by driving safely and responsibly.”